Question
You can see two moths in this image, living on the bark of trees. They are the same species of moth; they differ in color. If the habitat of the two moths does not change, predict what will happen to the moth population in this area and explain why.
Responses
A If the habitat does not change there should be no change in the moth population.If the habitat does not change there should be no change in the moth population.
B The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.
C The population will shift to the to favor the light moth. The light moth population will increase because the dark moths will leave the area.The population will shift to the to favor the light moth. The light moth population will increase because the dark moths will leave the area.
D As the seasons change, both moths will be hidden by foliage growing on the trees. We would predict no big change in the moth populations, light or dark.As the seasons change, both moths will be hidden by foliage growing on the trees. We would predict no big change in the moth populations, light or dark.
Responses
A If the habitat does not change there should be no change in the moth population.If the habitat does not change there should be no change in the moth population.
B The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.
C The population will shift to the to favor the light moth. The light moth population will increase because the dark moths will leave the area.The population will shift to the to favor the light moth. The light moth population will increase because the dark moths will leave the area.
D As the seasons change, both moths will be hidden by foliage growing on the trees. We would predict no big change in the moth populations, light or dark.As the seasons change, both moths will be hidden by foliage growing on the trees. We would predict no big change in the moth populations, light or dark.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best prediction, given the scenario described, is:
**B. The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.**
**Explanation:** In the absence of changes to the habitat and considering that the moths differ in color, the lighter moths are likely to be better camouflaged against the pale bark of the trees, making them less visible to predators. This would give them a survival advantage, leading to an increase in their population over time. In contrast, the darker moths may be more easily spotted by predators, resulting in decreased survival and reproduction rates for them. Therefore, unless other factors come into play, we would expect to see a shift in the population favoring the lighter moths.
**B. The lighter moth population will have better chance of survival due to camouflage. Light moths will increase; dark moths will decrease.**
**Explanation:** In the absence of changes to the habitat and considering that the moths differ in color, the lighter moths are likely to be better camouflaged against the pale bark of the trees, making them less visible to predators. This would give them a survival advantage, leading to an increase in their population over time. In contrast, the darker moths may be more easily spotted by predators, resulting in decreased survival and reproduction rates for them. Therefore, unless other factors come into play, we would expect to see a shift in the population favoring the lighter moths.